Should the state support teachers of the Christian religion?

OCR: 10 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (1779-05-17): Patrick Henry is not the author of this passage, but it shows a belief in the importance of supporting teachers of the Christian religion to educate settlers and Native Americans in religion and virtue. The passage argues that schools should be established to educate children in Christianity and that clergy should be involved in spreading the 'glad tidings of Salvation' to 'benighted regions.' (key quote above) [1]
• ACTION (editor's note) (1784-10; editor's note, not his words): The editor's note reports that Patrick Henry himself authored the Bill of Eights. No further actions by Patrick Henry are mentioned in the passage. "the Bill of Eights by Mr. Henry himself." [2]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): The editor reports that a bill related to the support of religious teachers was passed by the Virginia legislature, with debates occurring between October 11 and December 9. The bill was discussed in a Committee of the Whole and passed on December 9 after amendments in the Senate. "It was further amended in the Senate, and finally passed on December 9." [3]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): At the May session, 1784, the subject of supporting religious teachers was brought to the attention of the House by memorials from the Baptist Association and Hanover Presbytery, praying that the Episcopal Church be put upon the same footing as other denominations. "At the May session, 1784, the subject was brought to the attention of the House by memorials from the Baptist Association and Hanover Presbytery, praying that the Episcopal Church, still clinging to some remnants of the establishment, be put upon the same footing as the other denominations." [4]
• ACTION (undated): Patrick Henry carried a bill to allow the return of the Tories and carried speeches on these bills. The passage shows that he advocated for the support of religious teachers, specifically fearing the effect of French infidelity and urging such support. "dreads effect of French infidelity, and urges support of religious teachers, 200, etc." [5]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): Patrick Henry was chairman of the committee to draft a bill for the support of the Christian religion, and he approved of the bill of incorporation for the Protestant Episcopal Church, though he left before the bills were reported. The bill was modified to include both clergy and laity. "Mr. Henry was chairman of the committee to draft the bill... Mr. Henry was one of the committee ordered to bring in a bill 'to incorporate the clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church.'" [6]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): The editor's note reports that Patrick Henry inserted the principle of the absolute divorce between Church and State into the Bill of Rights. (key quote above) [7]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): Patrick Henry was the father of a scheme proposing a small tax on all taxable property for the support of teachers of the Christian religion, with each taxpayer allowed to name the society to which his tax was dedicated. The bill was ordered to its third reading on December 23, but further consideration was postponed until the next session. (key quote above) [8]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): Patrick Henry introduced a bill to empower the Governor to give annually, honorary rewards for the best literary performances at the several public schools and colleges within this commonwealth on the subject of the late revolution. "With the same patriotic purpose Mr. Henry introduced at the next session a bill ' to empower the Governor to give annually, honorary rewards for the best literary performances at the several public schools and colleges within this commonwealth on the subject of the late revolution.'" [9]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words): Patrick Henry advocated for the support of religious teachers by taxation and the incorporation of churches, though these measures did not succeed. He also supported Jefferson's Bill Establishing Religious Freedom, which was passed. "Scheme to Support Religious Teachers by Taxation, and to Incorporate Churches. ... Mr. Jefferson's Bill Establishing Religious Freedom Passed." [10]

What cuts against it

• ACTION (editor's note) (undated): The editor's note reports that Patrick Henry's bill for a general assessment to support religious teachers was stripped of most objectionable features but still faced opposition. "The bill for a general assessment was also stripped of nearly every objectionable feature, and was as" [6]

• ACTION (editor's note) (undated): The editor's note reports that the bill for a general assessment was ultimately defeated, with the middle and back counties, particularly those with a Presbyterian population, opposing it. "The greater part of the opposition, as we learn from Mr. Madison's correspondence, was from ' the middle and back counties, particularly the latter.' " [7]

• ACTION (editor's note) (undated): The editor's note reports that the Virginia legislature passed Mr. Jefferson's bill for the establishment of religious freedom, which emphasized the separation of Church and State. "The Legislature of 1785 did not stop with the defeat of the assessment bill. It took up and passed Mr. Jefferson's bill ' for the establishment of religious freedom,' which had been reported by the revisers in 1779." [7]

• ACTION (editor's note) (undated): The editor's note reports that the bill for a general assessment was left to be discussed in the next session, indicating that it did not pass in the current session. "Mr. Madison proposed and carried a resolution to postpone its further consideration till the next session, with a request that the people then signify their opinion on the subject." [8]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Patrick Henry supported the idea of state support for teachers of the Christian religion, as shown in his advocacy for a bill proposing a small tax for this purpose [8].

2. He believed in the importance of religious education, as evidenced by his support for schools that would educate children in Christianity and virtue [1].

3. Henry was chairman of the committee to draft a bill for the support of the Christian religion, and he approved of the bill of incorporation for the Protestant Episcopal Church [6].

4. However, the bill for a general assessment to support religious teachers faced significant opposition, particularly from the middle and back counties with a Presbyterian population [6].

5. The Virginia legislature ultimately passed Mr. Jefferson's bill for the establishment of religious freedom, which emphasized the separation of Church and State, indicating a shift in the political landscape [7].

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: PARTIAL

The record is silent on whether Patrick Henry's support for state support of Christian teachers was consistent over time or if he later changed his stance in light of the broader movement toward religious freedom and the separation of Church and State.

Extrapolation: Patrick Henry supported the idea of state support for teachers of the Christian religion, particularly in the context of educating settlers and Native Americans in religion and virtue. His proposals, however, faced significant opposition and did not succeed in the long term. The broader political movement in Virginia eventually led to the passage of Mr. Jefferson's bill for the establishment of religious freedom, which emphasized the separation of Church and State.

Competing readings: One reading is that Henry's support for religious education was genuine and consistent with his broader vision for the moral and educational development of the state. Another reading is that his support was more pragmatic, aimed at maintaining social order and moral standards in a post-war society. The record itself does not clearly state his motivations, but it does show that his proposals faced significant opposition and were ultimately not successful in the long term.

Confidence: Moderate, as the record shows both support for and opposition to his proposals, with differing interpretations of his stance and the broader political context reflecting a movement toward religious freedom and the separation of Church and State.